Electro-Optical Kerr Effect Voltage Measurements on Multi-Megavolt Pulsed Power Accelerators

摘要

We have developed a highly accurate, non-perturbing, non-invasive voltage monitor for multi-megavolt measurements in water using the electro-optic Kerr effect. The strong electric field causes the normally isotropic water to become linearly birefringent, with the birefringence axis aligned along the field. A beam polarized at 45 deg with respect to the electric field will experience a phase difference in the parallel and perpendicular components by an amount proportional to the square of the electric field. Measuring the phase change gives an accurate and precise value of the electric field. (ERA citation 10:047161)